What to see in Moscow in 2 days
What to see in Moscow in 2 days on your own
Moscow is the most visited city in Russia, hosting millions of tourists every year. Sung in songs and poems, Moscow attracts with its frenzied pace of life, rich culture and history.
Today, the capital has several airports and train stations, so it often becomes a transit point for citizens of our country and foreigners. Usually, in such cases, there is little time left to explore the city. However, if you have a couple of days left, then do not deny yourself this pleasure. A 2-day trip to Moscow can be an unforgettable experience.
Red Square and St. Basil's Cathedral
Red Square and St. Basil's Cathedral are the visiting cards of the capital. The spirit of historical Moscow is especially felt here. Along with the Kremlin, it is a symbol of the Russian capital. The Red Square is also home to St. Basil's Cathedral, the Kremlin's Spasskaya Tower with its famous chiming clock, the GUM Department Store, as well as the Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, the Historical Museum building, the Resurrection Gate and Lenin's Mausoleum.
St. Basil's Cathedral is open to the public and operates as a museum. The opening hours and ticket price may vary, see the official website.
The nearest metro stations are Kitay–Gorod, Okhotny Ryad and Revolution Square
Kremlin
The Moscow Kremlin and Red Square cannot be imagined without each other. This is the most famous place in Russia and Moscow in particular.
The Kremlinis a medieval fortified complex built in 1482-1495. Once the residence of the tsars, later the Soviet government, and now the residence of the President of the Russian Federation and the museum complex. In 1990, the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Kremlin is surrounded by 19 towers, the most famous is Spasskaya. This is a clock tower where you can see and hear the Kremlin chimes. During the military parade on May 9 on Red Square, the Minister of Defense leaves through the gates of the Spasskaya Tower to begin the ceremony. In Soviet times, large red stars were placed on 5 towers of the Kremlin. There is the 20th Kutafia Tower, but it is not part of the Kremlin walls and serves only as a gate for visitors.
To get to the territory of the Kremlin, you need to sign up for an excursion. There are several options, including a guided tour of the Kremlin (in English), as well as tickets to exhibitions and museums. You can go to the official website and book a tour or visit the ticket office in the Alexander Garden and try to buy there. Since there are several tours available per day, Khoroshotam definitely recommends buying a ticket online.
The Red Square itself is free to visit, no tickets are required.
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The State Historical Museum
The State Historical Museum, with one facade facing Red Square and the other facing Manezhnaya Square, is impossible to miss. Founded in 1872, it is located in a beautiful neo-Russian style building built in 1875-1883. The museum specializes in the history of Russia and includes a collection of objects from relics of prehistoric tribes, as well as priceless works of art acquired by members of the Romanov dynasty. The State Historical Museum is the largest national museum in Russia with a total collection of 5 million items (only about 0.5% of this number is available for public inspection).
The interiors of the building are decorated in the Russian Renaissance style by famous artists Viktor Vasnetsov and Ivan Aivazovsky. The exhibition begins in the Main Lobby, on the arches of which is written "The family tree of the Russian rulers." Other impressive exhibits include a longboat excavated on the banks of the Volga, Scythian gold artifacts, birch bark scrolls from Novgorod, 6th century manuscripts, Russian folk ceramics and wooden objects. Schedule a visit for at least a couple of hours.
In summer, the State Historical Museum is open every day with several days off (June 11, July 2, August 6). In the autumn-spring period, the day off is Tuesday. Opening hours and additional information can be found on the museum's website. Tickets cost from 400 rubles or 800 rubles with an audio guide (in English, Chinese, French, Spanish and Russian). We recommend booking tickets online to avoid long waiting times in line.
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Kitay Gorod
It starts right behind the Red Square. The recognizable dominant feature is the shopping malls, today occupied by the famous metropolitan store, GUM. A network of streets and alleys with cozy names and a dense historical aura are suitable for walking.
GUM
GUM is the country's main store, located in a building built in 1890. The main facade and the entrances to the store are located along the Red Square. The architecture and pompous interiors of GUM will not leave you indifferent. There are shops of the world's most expensive brands, many cafes and restaurants.
If you are nostalgic for the USSR, be sure to stop by for a snack in dining room No. 57, there are a lot of foreigners here, tasty and inexpensive, but there are a lot of people. And don't forget to try the famous ice cream and lemonade on the 1st floor.
Every winter, a large skating rink is flooded in front of GUM, brightly decorated with lights and garlands, and familiar and beloved music from Soviet cartoons and movies is playing.
Zaryadye Park
Zaryadye is a modern park in the very center of Moscow with excellent panoramic views. It is comfortable and interesting to walk here: there is a beautiful landscape design recreating the natural areas of different regions of Russia, and many unusual architectural objects. The park has museums, restaurants and cafes, and exhibition halls.
Be sure to take a walk on the 70-meter floating bridge, which overhangs the Moskva River without a single support. The best photos are taken from this place. In 2018, the American magazine Time included Zaryadye Park in the list of the 100 best places in the world.
There is a pier next to the park, from which pleasure boats regularly depart along the Moskva River. This is a great option for sightseeing in Moscow.: Musicians and artists perform on the ships, bars and cafes are open. You can get off at any stop and continue exploring the capital. The cost of an hour—and-a-half tour starts from 300 ₽ if you buy tickets in advance online, the cost increases at the pier.
Zaryadye Park is located next to the Kremlin 3. You need to go past St. Basil's Cathedral to the left, and cross the road through the crossing. The nearest metro stations are Okhotny Ryad, Teatralnaya, Revolution Square and Kitay-Gorod.
VDNKH
Here you can stroll, enjoying the beauty of the manicured alleys, visit the numerous museums on site and see the stunning fountains.
Moscow City Observation Deck
It is located in the business heart of the capital on the 55th floor. It offers a magnificent view of the historic city center. The buildings of Moscow City themselves are striking in their height and ultra-modernity. High-rise buildings have bizarre shapes and glass facades.
This is by no means a complete list of iconic places in the city, but getting to know these places can show Moscow from different angles.
The source of the cover photo, published unchanged - By Irina Glazyrina - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0